Flow Cytometer Optical System with Self-Aligning Light Source Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems for flow cytometers require precise alignment of light sources, which is time-consuming and costly, and are sensitive to misalignment, leading to reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
An optical system that combines collimated beams from multiple light sources of different wavelengths using a beam combining element and a focusing element, allowing for adequate light delivery even with minor misalignment, and includes features like adjustable mounts and filters to optimize alignment and reduce manufacturing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If precise alignment of light sources with lenses is implemented, then detection performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and alignment time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-aligns multiple light sources relative to each other before mounting them to the common mounting structure. This preliminary alignment action is performed once during assembly, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-assembly alignment adjustments. The light sources are positioned and aligned in a predetermined configuration, then mounted as a unit to the optical system, significantly reducing alignment time while maintaining detection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The common mounting structure is designed with built-in alignment features that automatically maintain the relative positions of multiple light sources. The structure includes reference surfaces and positioning elements that self-align the light sources during installation, eliminating the need for external alignment tools and manual adjustment procedures. This self-aligning mechanism reduces both alignment time and the skill level required for assembly.
2Measurement precision
If precise alignment of light sources with lenses is implemented, then detection performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light sources are pre-aligned and pre-positioned relative to each other before final assembly, creating a standardized sub-assembly. This preliminary preparation allows for consistent alignment to be achieved through simple mounting procedures rather than complex alignment processes, reducing the need for expensive precision alignment equipment and highly skilled technicians during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The common mounting structure incorporates built-in alignment and positioning features that automatically ensure correct light source positioning during assembly. This self-aligning design eliminates the need for expensive external alignment tools, precision measurement equipment, and highly skilled manual adjustment procedures, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining detection performance.
3Reliability
If tight alignment tolerances are enforced, then system performance is maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The common mounting structure is designed with integrated alignment features that automatically maintain the correct relative positions of multiple light sources during assembly and operation. The structure includes reference surfaces, positioning elements, and mechanical constraints that self-align the light sources, eliminating the need for complex external alignment procedures and reducing alignment tolerances to simple manufacturing tolerances. This maintains system performance while greatly simplifying the device and its manufacturing.
4Measurement precision
If manual alignment procedures are used, then precise alignment is achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The light sources are pre-aligned and pre-positioned relative to each other before final assembly, creating a standardized sub-assembly with built-in alignment. This preliminary preparation transforms a complex manual alignment procedure into a simple mounting operation, allowing rapid assembly while maintaining precise alignment. The pre-configured sub-assembly can be quickly installed on the common mounting structure without time-consuming adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The common mounting structure incorporates built-in alignment features that automatically ensure correct light source positioning during assembly. This self-aligning design eliminates the need for manual alignment procedures, precision measurement tools, and skilled adjustment operations. Workers can simply install the light sources using standard tools and procedures, dramatically increasing assembly speed and productivity while maintaining alignment precision through the structure's inherent alignment features.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures reliable light delivery to the interrogation zone with reduced alignment requirements, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of flow cytometry by maintaining performance even with slight misalignment and simplifying the alignment process.
Implementation Method 1
a beam combining element that combines the collimated beams of the first and second collimating elements to form a combined collimated beam that is multichromatic
Implementation Method 2
a focusing element that focuses the combined collimated beam to a single point
Implementation Method 3
a first collimating element that collimates the first beam, a second collimating element that collimates the second beam
Data Source
AI summary
The optical system of the preferred embodiments includes a first light source that creates a first beam of a first wavelength, a first collimating element that collimates the first beam, a second light source 102 that creates a second beam of a second wavelength, a second collimating element that collimates the second beam, a beam combining element that combines the collimated beams, and a focusing element that focuses the combined collimated beam to a single point.